Back to Basics SALPHA500 Smoothie Signature Smoothie Maker
by Back to Basics
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Product Summary
Manufacturer: Back to BasicsBrand: Back to Basics
Release Date: 2005-04-06
Model: SALPHA500
Color: Brushed Chrome
Product features:
- Smoothie maker with 700-watt pulse-power motor and ice-crushing blades
- Dishwasher-safe 48-ounce glass jar; brushed chrome metal base
- Smoothie stir stick keeps thicker ingredients moving and breaks up air pockets
- Dispenser valve eliminates spills for continuous mixing and serving
- Measures 7 by 11 by 18 inches
Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Back to Basics SALPHA500 Smoothie Signature Smoothie Maker
Customer Review: Good blending, bad parts
Summary: 2 Stars
I've used my Back to Basics Signature smoothie maker regularly for 2-3 years. After a couple of months of using it, the spout stopped working. First it leaked, and even after it stopped working and I stopped using it, it still leaked. I didn't know there was a screw-on stopper (or maybe I didn't get one?). So every time I made a smoothie, I had to disassemble the non-working spout and clean it to keep from having rotted smoothie in my next drink. This is probably my fault, not knowing about the stopper-replacement for the spout, but still, when I bought the thing, one of the reasons I bought it was because I liked the spout, which became unusable soon after buying the machine.
Now, the base leaks, which means that as soon as the machine has liquid in it, it starts to leak out the bottom and makes a pretty good mess. I can't use it any more.
I called the company, and they said they don't have any replacement bases. I will say that the company rep was friendly and offered me a 50% discount off the MSRP if I bought a new one through their web site, but she also said that I might find one on sale for less (less than their MSRP minus 50%), especially once you factor in the shipping charges.
The machine worked really well when it worked, but that's small consolation as I see it lying in the garbage can. If I were a prospective buyer, I would ignore the 5 star reviews from people who have had the machine for only a few weeks or months. That's because it really is a good machine, great at blending, chopping ice, etc. but given a little time it becomes a NOT good machine, at least in my experience.
On the other hand, these days, if a product works reasonably well for 2 - 3 years, you figure it could be worse. My family got a lot of good frozen smoothies out of this machine. If we accept that we're in a throw-away society, then this product isn't so bad. But I'm getting tired of participating in that cycle - buy crap, toss it a couple of years later, buy more crap, repeat. Good for the general economy maybe, but bad for my own economy and bad for the environment.
Description of Back to Basics SALPHA500 Smoothie Signature Smoothie Maker
The Smoothie Signature includes a dishwasher-safe, 48-ounce glass jar, a brushed stainless steel base, dispensing valve, stir stick, 500-watt/700-watt pulse-power motor and heavy-duty ice-crushing blades.Blenders
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